One of Albert Lea’s primary historical researchers, Kevin Savick, died early Friday morning in his home after battling cancer.

He was 55.

Savick, known to many for his love of Albert Lea and Freeborn County, could often be found hours at a time researching at the Albert Lea Public Library and the Freeborn County Historical Museum.

He recently donated his research from the last several years — including more than a 100 notebooks with copies of newspaper articles and photos, display cases and a collection of Freeborn County advertising souvenirs — to the museum.

“Kevin was enthusiastic about historical research,” said Freeborn County Historical Museum librarian Linda Evenson. “His devotion to collecting and compiling Freeborn County and Albert Lea history was unique. His efforts have created a wonderful resource regarding this area’s history.”

It’s this devotion to history that also facilitated Savick to donate $140,000 to the museum, challenging community members to raise additional funds for the facility’s planned expansion.

In a statement made July 22, Savick said:

“People don’t quite realize the importance of history. The last few years I’ve noticed the paper trail for history has been disappearing, which makes my research more important. I’ve dedicated the last seven years of my life to history.”

Museum Executive Director Pat Mulso said the community will be a better place to live because of the time and effort Savick spent preserving the area’s history.

Mulso said thanks to Savick, the museum now has additional photos and other materials that it had not previously had access to.

“What he’s given us is going to be an asset for many generations to come,” she said.

Albert Lea Tribune writer Ed Shannon, who has written numerous historical columns and articles thanks to tips from Savick, described Savick as a persistent and patient person.

“He’ll really be missed because he did so much,” Shannon said. “Not only for helping me, but for helping others in town, especially in the central business district.”

He said Savick knew the history of when the buildings were constructed downtown and what businesses were housed at each throughout the years.

One of his wildest and latest projects was listing all the tenants since 1916 in the six-story building that is now the Lea Center.

“When he got into something, he was really dedicated,” Shannon said.

Aside from his devotion to history, Savick was also known during at least the last 20 years as an employer at Brick Furniture.

“There was no one individual that was more instrumental in the success of Brick Furniture than Kevin Savick,” said owner John Brick. “He will be greatly missed.”

Kari Brick described Savick as “one of the most honest and hardworking individuals I know.”

He was affectionately nicknamed as Kat with a “K” and had a love of children and a way with farm dogs.

“You could always rely on Kat,” Kari Brick said. “It was an honor to call him a co-worker and friend.”

A private memorial service will be held in Savick’s honor at a later date.